When the Bell Rings for You Too: Back-to-School Transitions Moms Aren’t Talking About
It’s August, and the lunchboxes are lined up, school forms are flying, and the group chats are lit with carpool chaos and supply scavenger hunts. But while everyone’s talking about how the kids are adjusting… no one’s really asking how you’re doing.
The Quiet Struggle
Maybe you’re juggling a full workload while pretending your house isn't imploding around you.
Maybe you’re watching your child head to middle school, high school, or even college—and feeling that invisible punch to the chest no one warned you about.
Maybe you’re coordinating IEP meetings, doctor appointments, or therapy schedules, and wondering how many tabs your brain can realistically keep open.
The Emotional Load of August
This time of year is hard for a lot of moms—not just logistically, but emotionally. It can stir up anxiety, grief, identity questions, and a very real sense of burnout. And unlike summer, there’s no socially acceptable way to just… melt down in front of the ice cream truck.
Even if the school routine brings some relief, it can also come with a side of guilt. You're supposed to feel grateful, right? Grateful for the break. Grateful for your job. Grateful your kid is healthy enough to go. And you are. But you’re also exhausted, overwhelmed, and maybe just a little bit lost in the shuffle.
You’re Not Broken. You’re Human.
As a therapist, I work with moms navigating this exact season of life. The emotional whiplash. The invisible labor. The quiet ache of being needed less… and yet somehow responsible for more. You’re not broken for feeling this way. You’re human. And you deserve support, too.
Therapy as a Different Kind of Back-to-School Supply
So if August has you running on caffeine and autopilot, maybe this is the moment to do something different.
To make space for yourself.
To feel your feelings without apologizing for them.
To rise gently, instead of running ragged.
If that sounds like what you need this season, I’m here. Therapy isn’t just for when things fall apart—it’s also for when you want to hold yourself together differently.
Feeling burned out by back-to-school season? Let’s talk. Schedule a free consult.
Follow me on Instagram @risegentlytherapy for more support.
